Devils grab Josefson,Pirates whip Royals.

The New Jersey Devils and Lou Lamoriello did what they do best yesterday in the first round of the NHL Draft-find a player that is falling far further than he should have and then find a way to put him in Red and Black.
That is how a player rated in the top 15 prospects and as the third best skater among Europeans in the draft slipped to 20th and Lamoriello leaped into action shipping the Devils third round pick to Calgary to move up three spots to land Swedish centerman,Jacob Josefson that looks to be the steal of the first night.
Josefson played in the Swedish Elite League at just 17 last season,which is Sweden's top league and finished with 16 points in fifty games.
Those numbers don't seem eye popping,but remember he was in the top league at 17,quite an accomplishment.
Josefson also was a member of the Swedish entries in both the World under 18 tournament and the World Junior tournament.
EliteProspects loves Josefson and the Swedish site seems to think Josefson has quite the future.
Josefson needs some work on his shot,but looks to be a decent two way center at worst.
Josefson said he will play one more season in the SEL as will 2008 top pick Mattias Tedenby before attempting to make the Devils for the 2010-11 season,where he will likely start that season in Lowell.
I do not claim to be a draft expert,but I see little not to like about this pick and it looks like the Devils took advantage of the number one rule of drafting-take advantage of other teams mistakes.
For more on Josefson,check out our friends at In Lou We Trust...

Virgil Vasquez (1-0) was good enough in his Pirate debut allowing just four hits over six innings in the Pirates 5-3 win over the Royals.
The Pirates received three homers from players that usually aren't power sources in the win with Jason Jaramillo (3),Jack Wilson (3) and Nyjer Morgan (2) all going long for the Bucs. Matt Capps pitched the ninth for save number 17.
The middle game is tonight with Paul Maholm for Pittsburgh against Kansas City's Bruce Chen.
Chen was called up from Omaha yesterday to pitch today for the Royals.

Pirate Hooks

1) Virgil Vasquez struck out seven in the win for his first big league win.
The total was a surprise considering that some observer's knock on the former Tiger was his lack of strong stuff.

2) Kansas City can not be too thrilled losing a game by two when the crew that showed power were the difference in the game.

3) Both teams wore Negro League uniforms for the game and I liked the Pirates "Homestead Grays" togs far more than their throwbacks that they wore against the Tigers..

4) Trade rumors involving Nyjer Morgan and its with Washington?
Lastings Milledge has issues with the Nationals management this season and has spent most of the season rehabbing an injured finger and supposedly was offered for Morgan straight up.
The Pirates were reported to have bounced back with an offer of Milledge and pitcher Craig Stammen,which Washington refused.
I have seen Craig Stammen pitch live a few times,I would not let him get in the way of a deal,but Pittsburgh may be just trying to get a second player for Morgan.

5) Pittsburgh needs to do this deal.
The Pirates are selling high on Nyjer Morgan,who's value can only go down and add a player that was one of the games top prospects just two years ago and put together a decent rookie year last year and would be grabbing him at low value.
Can you imagine this offer in 2007?
One would think Washington was off their rocker!

Bullpen Notes

I have seen some Pirate boards that are griping about the trade and losing Nyjer Morgan because of his friendship with Andrew McCutchen.
Great idea,let's keep a below average player that is at his peak value because of who his friend is..
That is the kind of move I would expect from Dave Littlefield.

Nah,Littlefield would turn down Milledge and ask for someone from the Syracuse (Washington AAA) bullpen,although I would take Milledge and this intriguing arm from the Syracuse bullpen in a second....

Any catch Real Time with Bill Maher last night?
Nice song at the end from Billy Bob Thornton's band,the Boxmasters.
I haven't been able to get the tune out of my head all day to my surprise and shock.
The CD version is a bit smoother than the live version below,but Billy Bob is far better than I dreamed and is far from a publicity stunt in my opinion..
Very good stuff and I might be interested in trying out some more stuff from the Boxmasters.


Photo Credits
Josefson:Bruce Bennett-Getty Images
Vasquez:Gene Puskar-AP Photo